KiXX Solidify Back Line Play With Signing Of Quartet

The two-time Major Indoor Soccer League champion Philadelphia KiXX announced four key signings today, solidifying their back line for the 2009-10 campaign. Defenders Joe Di Buono, Clay Roberts, and Kevin Coleman return to Philadelphia this season, while former Chicago Storm defender Will Kletzien will play his first season with the KiXX.

"I'm really happy with how our back line is looking for the upcoming season," player/head coach Don D'Ambra stated. "We have a nice mixture of youth and veteran leadership to join team captain Pat Morris, and I am excited to have all four of these players with our program for this year's campaign."

Di Buono appeared in 15 games for the KiXX last year, his first in Philadelphia, registering five points, and 14 blocks. After the indoor season concluded, the Montreal native was selected to the Canadian Beach Soccer Team, and competed in the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Tournament.

He first played professional indoor soccer with the Milwaukee Wave in 2007, where he recorded 19 points, and 14 blocks in 22 contests. Prior to beginning his professional career, Di Buono attended Robert Morris College in Chicago, and was a First-Team All-North East Conference selection.

Roberts is set to play his third season with the KiXX. He originally suited up for the club during their 2005-06 campaign, and was a member of the 2007 MISL Championship side in Philadelphia. He scored a two-point shot to help the offensive attack last season, adding five blocks in 12 contests.

The Plant City, Florida, native began his professional career in USL-2 with the Charlotte Eagles from 2004-06, and he is currently the head coach of both the men's and women's soccer program at Philadelphia Biblical University.

Coleman is returning to Philadelphia this season for his second year of professional indoor soccer, after registering an assist, and a pair of blocks for the KiXX in 2007-08. The Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, native was named a NSCAA All-American, and Regional All-American while playing collegiate soccer for La Salle University.

He capped off a stellar club career by winning back-to-back national championships with FC Delco Arsenal. He also played high school soccer locally at Penncrest High School in Media, Pennsylvania.

Kletzien comes to Philadelphia via the Chicago Storm, where he did not miss a single game last season. He aided their offensive attack with nine points on a two-point tally, and seven assists, and he also blocked 11 shots on the year.

After receiving All-MAC accolades at the University of Akron, the Ohio native began his professional career with the Windsor Border Stars of the Canadian Soccer League in 2006. He then began his professional indoor career later that year with the Storm.

The Philadelphia KiXX will open their 2009-10 season this Sunday, Nov. 15, with a road contest against La Raza de Monterrey. The team will play their historic first game at the Liacouras Center on Saturday, Jan. 9, when they host the Rockford Rampage at 7:00 p.m. Season, and group ticket packages for the KiXX are available now by calling 1-888-888-KiXX.

The previous story is excerpted from a press release by the Philadelphia KiXX of the MISL. Todd Civin is a freelance writer for Bleacher Report , Sports, Then and Now , and Seamheads . He is a supporter of the children’s book A Glove of Their Own. A Glove of Their Own is the award winning book which teaches pay it forward through sports. Please visit the site and purchase the book under today’s donor code, COV 113 Covenant House as $3.00 from each sale will help this worthwhile charity.